Dr. Bancroft
Concerned about your health? Experts from Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton are ready to answer readers’ questions. Send your questions to askthedoc@rwjuhh.edu.
Q. Is snoring as dangerous to my health as it is annoying to my spouse?
A. Snoring may be a key indicator of a sleep disorder, but it’s not the roaring sounds that pose a health risk. It’s the toll that disruptive breathing takes on your well being that counts.
Often times, snoring is a sign of sleep apnea, a disorder that is characterized by pauses in breathing during sleep. Research shows a strong link between cardiovascular disease and sleep apnea. Each time breathing stops during sleep, the oxygen level in the blood falls, causing the heart to work harder to circulate the blood. This creates stress on the heart, which leads to an increase in blood pressure and may result in irregular heartbeats, hypertension, heart disease and even stroke if it remains untreated.
Studies also show a close link between sleep apnea and diabetes. In fact, adults who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea, one of the more common sleep disorders, are three times more likely to also have diabetes. The link is so strong that many physicians now check for both conditions in patients who seem to have only one.
You should see a sleep specialist if your snoring is more habitual in nature and if you experience fatigue during the day. Your symptoms may warrant a sleep study to determine the severity of your disorder.
A sleep study, also know as a polysomnogram, measures a variety of physical activities and body functions during sleep, including breathing patterns, heart rhythms, and eye movement.
It’s important to note that snoring can sometimes be alleviated. In fact, depending on the severity of your disorder, exercise and a healthy diet may be all you need to get a good night’s rest.
—Dr. James Bancroft, M.D., RWJ Family & Internal Medicine, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton.
This content is intended to encourage a healthy lifestyle. For medical advice and treatment, see a physician.
